Club

ClassificationsArms and Armor-clubs

Culture Massim

Datemid 19th - early 20th Century

Made AtMilne Bay Province, Papua New Guinea

Collection SiteSydney, New South Wales, Australia, Australia

MediumWood

Dimensions24 × 4 × 1/2 in. (61 × 10.2 × 1.3 cm)

Credit LineThe George Stanley Lodin Collection

Object number2015.17.6

DescriptionThis club is identified as sword shaped for its similarity to small swords such as the cutlass. This similarity is thought to suggest that such clubs were only made for trade purposes and were not actually used by the Massim. Scholars note this possibility for several different types of items from the Oceanic region as there was a demand for items that were familiar to the Western eye and taste, yet were also exotic. Other sources indicate that these clubs were indeed used within the Massim area and were worn as adornment items or used during ceremonial dances. These sword shaped clubs feature the typical design motifs of the Massim cultural area including swirling lines and abstract depictions of ocean birds. These designs were often filled with white colored lime powder. The clubs were sometimes decorated with leaves or other adornments attached through holes on the handle or at the center of the blade. Other examples of such clubs feature a high degree of patina as well as more sophisticated carving, particularly on the handles.

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